U SPORTS men’s basketball championship coming to Calgary in 2026
Canada’s best university men’s basketball teams are heading to the Stampede City as the University of Calgary hosts the 2026 U SPORTS men’s basketball Final 8 championship.
This will be the fifth time UCalgary has hosted the U SPORTS men’s basketball championship, but it will be the first time since 1980. Calgary also provided the backdrop to the 1966, 1967, and 1979 championships. The 11-game tournament will be contested at the Jack Simpson Gymnasium March 5-8, 2026.
“After a 46-year absence, U SPORTS is excited to bring our national men’s basketball championship back to Calgary,” said U SPORTS Chief Executive Officer Pierre Arsenault. “The University of Calgary has a history of hosting outstanding U SPORTS championships, and with the engagement of the City of Calgary and Tourism Calgary, we know that the 2026 men’s basketball Final 8 will be an outstanding event for participating teams and fans.”
The 63rd edition of the U SPORTS championship features eight teams, including the host Dinos, battling out over three days to hoist the W.P. McGee Trophy, donated to U SPORTS in 1963 by the University of Windsor Alumni Association in memory of W.P. McGee to commemorate his contribution as a teacher and coach during the 1920s and 1930s.
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Ben Matchett, Athletic Director – University of Calgary
The sport of basketball has had a significant resurgence in the Calgary area over the last several years, and we are thrilled to bring the men’s Final 8 back to our city. It’s fitting that the first time UCalgary hosted this championship was in 1966, the year we gained autonomy. We have the opportunity to celebrate our 60th anniversary with the men’s basketball championship back on campus. We aim to make this a showcase event for the basketball community with our partners at Tourism Calgary and the City of Calgary.
Dan Vanhooren, Head Coach – University of Calgary
The deep tradition of the U SPORTS men’s basketball Final 8 championship is extraordinary. The tournament has grown and generated support from many of Canada’s great cities and we are honoured to have been trusted to host the Final 8 once more. This tournament provides many opportunities for young players to experience our sport at one of the highest levels in Canada and spend time on the University of Calgary campus. Our hope is to provide a great experience for our fans, grow the game, collaborate with our community, engage our alumni, and provide a memorable experience for the participating athletes.
Carson Ackroyd, Senior Vice President of Sales - Tourism Calgary
“We are beyond excited to welcome the 2026 U SPORTS Men's Basketball Final 8 Championships to Calgary. Calgary and Southern Alberta have a massive basketball fan base that will be blown away by the excitement of this championship. Our city is extremely excited to welcome players and fans from across Canada to Calgary to experience high-level basketball and world-renowned hospitality.
The 2025 Indochino U SPORTS Final 8 presented by Victory will be held March 13-16 in Vancouver. All games will be broadcast on CBC/Radio-Canada Sports digital platforms, and the championship final will be broadcast on CBC TV / Sportsnet and TVA Sports. Tickets for this year’s championship are available for purchase at USPORTSTickets.ca.
Stay tuned for the unveiling of the championship logos and ticket information in January 2025. For exciting updates as Calgary prepares to welcome the best in Canadian university men’s basketball, visit USPORTS.ca.
Facility and event photos are available for download at USPORTSMedia.ca.